Assessing Cortical Modulation of Cochlear Function with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is widely investigated as a non-invasive neuromodulation technique; however, its capacity to modulate cortical excitability within the auditory system remains poorly understood. This study examined whether rTMS applied to auditory cortex regions influences peripheral auditory structures via top-down cortical feedback. Electrophysiological markers of auditory and neural function were assessed in 19 normal-hearing participants before and after stimulation. No significant changes were observed in either peripheral or central auditory responses, suggesting that the rTMS protocol employed here did not produce measurable alterations in auditory cortical excitability, despite being based on current conventions in both research and clinical practice. These findings highlight the need for refined stimulation parameters and standardised guidelines to improve the efficacy and reproducibility of rTMS in auditory neuroscience. Data collection took place in 2023 at the Australian Hearing Hub (Level 1 sound-treated and electrically shielded booths), Sydney, Australia. This study primarily focused on physiological responses to sound, with participants undergoing rTMS designed to modulate auditory processing. Ethical approval was granted by the Macquarie University Human Research Ethics Committee (ref: 52023333448210). All participants provided written informed consent and received a small financial reimbursement for their time.

重复性经颅磁刺激（repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, rTMS）作为一种非侵入性神经调控技术已得到广泛研究，但其对听觉系统皮层兴奋性的调控能力仍有待深入阐明。本研究旨在探讨施加于听觉皮层区域的rTMS是否可通过自上而下的皮层反馈通路影响外周听觉结构。研究纳入19名听力正常的受试者，在刺激前后分别评估了听觉与神经功能的电生理标志物。结果显示，受试者的外周及中枢听觉反应均未出现显著变化，表明本研究所采用的rTMS方案虽基于当前研究与临床实践的通用规范，却未对听觉皮层兴奋性产生可测量的调控效果。本研究结果凸显了优化刺激参数、制定标准化指南的必要性，以提升听觉神经科学领域中rTMS应用的有效性与可重复性。数据采集于2023年在澳大利亚悉尼的澳大利亚听觉中心（Australian Hearing Hub）1层的隔音且电屏蔽测听室内完成。本研究主要聚焦于声音诱发的生理反应，受试者接受的rTMS方案旨在调控听觉加工过程。本研究已获得麦考瑞大学人类研究伦理委员会（Macquarie University Human Research Ethics Committee）的伦理审批（编号：52023333448210）。所有受试者均签署了书面知情同意书，并因参与研究获得了相应的小额经济补偿。